Probate Solicitors
Making the process as stress-free as possible.
Our Private Wealth & Inheritance team has specialist probate solicitors, who will offer an economic, personal and compassionate service at what is a difficult time.
What is a Grant of Probate?
A legal document that confirms an Executor’s authority to deal with the assets in a deceased’s estate. This allows the Executor to close the deceased’s bank accounts, sell his property and pay his debts and expenses of the administration of his estate.
Why do you need a probate solicitor?
Probate is the generic term used to describe the administration of estates. In practical terms, probate is the legal process of obtaining authorisation from the courts to deal with the affairs of a deceased person, either in accordance with the terms of that person’s Will, or in accordance with the terms of the intestacy laws.
Our probate solicitors have two principal objectives in mind:
- Ensure that the correct people deal with the estate and that it ends up in the hands of the right people.
- Satisfy the requirements of HM Revenue and Customs in relation to the finalisation of the person’s tax affairs to the date of their death and in relation to any liability for Inheritance Tax arising as a result.
In most instances, the process of ensuring that the right people deal with the estate is fairly straightforward and non-controversial. However, occasionally disputes arise and it may be necessary to go to court. We have specialists who deal with these sorts of inheritance disputes.
Finalising someone’s tax affairs to the date of their death will inevitably depend upon the complexity of that person’s tax affairs. Sometimes the revenue deals with this as an automatic process, but in other cases it is necessary to submit a tax return. Inheritance Tax however is much more complicated. If an estate exceeds the threshold for Inheritance Tax it is extremely wise to think about engaging professional assistance.
Once the revenue and the courts are satisfied, the next step is the process of administering the estate. This may require assets to be sold or transferred to beneficiaries.
Can a Grant of Probate be obtained when there is no Will?
No. When there is no Will, or no valid Will, an application for a grant for Letters of Administration must be made to the Probate Registry. This application will be made by the people entitled to act as the Personal Representatives of the deceased’s estate. Unlike an Executor, a Personal Representative takes their authority to administer the estate from the Letters of Administration, not the Will. For further information on applying for Letters of Administration and to find out who qualifies to act as a Personal Representative, please contact the Private Client department.
Do you always need a Grant of Probate to take control of the deceased’s assets?
If you are acting as an Executor you do not always need a Grant of probate to gain control of the deceased’s assets. Small estates (up to the value of £25,000) can usually be dealt with without a grant. Also, assets owned jointly pass to the surviving co-owner automatically, under a concept known as Survivorship. This means that often a married couple who has mostly jointly held assets will not need a grant unless the deceased held assets in their sole name above the value of £25,000. Some banks can be very flexible and allow Executors to sign a small estates declaration form however every bank and asset holder has different rules and limitations to what can be done without a Grant of Probate.
Sometimes probate and inheritance disputes arise. We have a dedicated Disputes and Claims team who are experienced in dealing with all types of Wills, inheritance and probate disputes. Find out more about how our team can help you, by visiting our Probate & Inheritance Disputes page.
If you would like to find out more about the cost of Probate, please see our Probate & Estate Admin Pricing Guide.
Contact us
Request a video call, phone call or a meeting in person with one of our probate solicitors...
Probate Solicitors FAQs
Who can be an Executor?
Executors are appointed in a valid Will. To be an Executor, a person cannot be a minor, and must have mental capacity. An Executor can also be a Beneficiary under the Will.
I have been appointed as Executor but I don’t want this role, it is too much of a responsibility, what can I do?
It is possible for an executor to renounce Probate if certain conditions are met and they have not begun administering the estate or acting as an Executor however this means that you will lose your position as Executor and your control over the administration of the estate. An alternative is to remain acting as an Executor but to appoint us to act on your behalf and guide you through the process.
What happens if one of the executors of a Will doesn’t have mental capacity?
The other named Executors of the Will would be able to act instead. If there is only one Executor appointed then an application can be made for a Grant of Representation to act for the use and benefit of the person who lacks capacity. This is a complex application and may require the permission of the Court of Protection.
What happens if you can’t find the original Will but hold a good copy?
The Probate Registry usually insists on an original Will before issuing a grant of probate. However, it is possible to apply for a grant using a copy will, but this involves making a separate application to the Registry. The Registry will require detailed evidence which can be difficult to obtain. We have made successful applications to prove copy Wills so contact us if you would like to know more.
What happens if there is an error in the Will?
It depends on the type of error made. The courts only really have the power to rectify an error that is clerical in nature (misspelling of names for example, clear cases of missed words). Errors relating to the thoughts and intentions of the person who made the Will cannot be rectified. For example, if a Testator mistakenly leaves out a Beneficiary who they intended to benefit in their Will, the Will cannot be altered. If you believe there is an error in a Will and would like to make an application for rectification, please contact us.
How do we pay for inheritance tax before we have access to the Estate funds? Do we have to take out a loan?
If due, Inheritance Tax must generally be paid before you receive a Grant of Representation. Taking out a loan is one option to pay the bill. For certain assets such as property, it may be possible to pay the tax relating to those assets in 10 annual instalments. Fortunately, most banks have made an arrangement with the Revenue that they will release funds from the deceased’s accounts directly to the Revenue to allow payment of Inheritance tax before the Grant is issued.
Do we need to open an Executors account?
This will depend on the complexity of the administration and how many beneficiaries there are. One of the many benefits to instructing us to act on your behalf is that we can use the firm’s client account to collect in the assets. This can save the often difficult process of opening an executor’s account. We would always advise when acting as an Executor to keep your funds separate from the estate funds until the administration has completed.
Probate Solicitors
Latest Insights
I am going to inherit some money…what do I do?
Charitable Trustees should seek to maximise the return on their investments; except where the investment is in explicit conflict with the Charity’s purposes.
Q&A: Understanding Power of Attorney
By having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, it allows you to appoint one or two close friends or relatives to make decisions.
What happens to My Bitcoins when I die?
The lack of a central registry means that without having direct access to the virtual wallet valuing and indeed paying any tax due becomes impossible.
Private Wealth Services
Other Legal Services
Pricing Guides
We are required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to publish certain pricing information. Please contact us for an accurate fee proposal based on your particular facts and circumstances.
Award winning legal advice
Herrington Carmichael offers legal advice to UK and International businesses as well as individuals and families. Rated as a ‘Leading Firm 2023’ by the legal directory Legal 500 and listed in The Times ‘Best Law Firms 2023’. Herrington Carmichael has offices in London, Farnborough, Reading, and Ascot.








Email: info@herrington-carmichael.com
Farnborough
Brennan House, Farnborough Aerospace Centre Business Park, Farnborough, GU14 6XR
Reading (Appointment only)
The Abbey, Abbey Gardens, Abbey Street, Reading RG1 3BA
Ascot (Appointment only)
102, Berkshire House, 39-51 High Street, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7HY
London (Appointment only)
60 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4JS
Privacy Policy | Legal Notices, T&Cs, Complaints Resolution | Cookies | Client Feedback | Diversity Data
Our Services
Corporate Lawyers
Commercial Lawyers
Commercial Property Lawyers
Conveyancing Solicitors
Dispute Resolution Lawyers
Divorce & Family Lawyers
Employment Lawyers
Immigration Law Services
Private Wealth & Inheritance Lawyers
Startups & New Business Lawyers
Please be aware that we have no plans to change our bank details. If you receive any indication that any of our bank details have changed please contact us before sending us any funds. We take no responsibility for monies you transfer into the wrong bank account.
© 2023 Herrington Carmichael LLP. Registered in England and Wales company number OC322293.
Herrington Carmichael LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 446245.